Mike Zacharko
Biography
Mike Zacharko has worked at Georgian College since 1999. Prior to that, he worked in plastic molding and product manufacturing. He is currently a faculty of Georgian’s Engineering Technology division and a faculty lead in the Research and Innovation department. Mike teaches in the Mechanical Technician and Technologist programs in theories and labs, including mechanical CAD design and tool fabrication, respectively. He completed a Tool and Die diploma (Centennial College, 1983), a Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities (MTCU) Apprenticeship (1986) and has been a Journeyman and Foreman working on product development and supportive production tooling ever since. Mike is completing a Bachelor of Technology (Trades and Technology) degree at Thompson Rivers University.
Mike passionately believes that students learn best by doing and consistently strives to offer them learning experiences that are engaging, challenging, and rewarding. His teaching is grounded in experiential learning and, therefore, he embraces opportunities to act as a mentor for students working on real-life projects involving the application of academics in manufacturing skills and processes. These experiences are a win-win-win: industry clients improve their products and product development processes, students gain incredible real-life experiences, and businesses in the local community are enhanced.
Research interests and areas of expertise
- Manufacturing processes and applications
- Design, prototypes, and product testing
- Tool design and fabrication
- Curricula and learning design
- Professional learning